Mikel Merino is bursting with pride in his teammates following our seventh consecutive Champions League win, a 3-1 success against Inter Milan in the San Siro.
Our victory over the Serie A leaders consolidates our passage into the last 16 of the competition, having not dropped a single point with one league phase fixture to spare.
The midfield man has thanked the supporters as well as his colleagues for a tremendous night's work, as we round off four straight away games in nine days.
"It's amazing, I'm really happy for it obviously, really tough place and really tough opponents," Merino said. "I think everyone gave their best, and yeah, we keep rolling, buzzing for the fans as well.
"The supporters are amazing, every time we go outside it's amazing, so yeah, really happy for it."
Mikel expressed his satisfaction in savouring every moment out there with his teammates, with whom he hopes he can enjoy stellar success in red and white.
"Obviously, football is not only about results. It's the main thing, but when you can enjoy playing with these teammates, it's just a joy, and I'm enjoying it every time I'm on the pitch," he explained.
"I think everyone is giving their best and enjoying as well, and that's the best mix we can have, so performing and enjoying is the magic recipe, so yeah, very happy."
Merino was quick to praise Gabby, who continues to go from strength to strength following his agonising 11-month injury absence, scoring a brilliant brace in the first half in Milan.
"It's amazing to see him back, the way he's playing is amazing, after a big injury, after so long without playing football, to come back against an opponent like this and perform - not only the goals but the way he moved, the way he helped us defensively - is outstanding.
"So props to him, really happy to see him smile again, and looking forward to playing with him and to score more goals."
We're very well-acquainted with the San Siro, and following our latest victory in the historic venue, Merino admitted football is about enjoying these moments that have been worked tirelessly for.
"It's an iconic place. When you come to this kind of stadium, it's always a big game, it's one you have in the calendar marked, and yeah, we love football for these kind of games - when you play in the best stadiums against the best opponents.
"So, an amazing night for that, and let's keep going."
Next week's visit of Kairat Almaty to Emirates Stadium rounds off our league phase with matchday eight - a chance to become the first-ever club to complete a 100% winning record in this round of the Champions League in its current format.
Merino is focused on our Premier League return against Manchester United, and is certainly not one to discriminate when it comes to beating certain opponents.
"It's the aim, it's the goal to win every game, now we have an amazing game in front of our fans, at home against Man United.
"But, yeah, we're focused on winning every game - it doesn't matter which competition, which rival, it's just about making Arsenal fans proud, and yeah, let's go for it again."
[Read more
Arteta lauds his side's courage after win at Inter](https://www.arsenal.com/news/arteta-lauds-his-sides-courage-after-win-inter?utm_source=arsenaldotcom&utm_medium=embedded-article&utm_campaign=news)
Copyright 2026 The Arsenal Football Club Limited. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source.